Nominated “Best Latin Duo/Group" 2009 and 2012 "Best Latin Vocalist/ Group and Recording" 2013 by Washington Area Music Association and named in the DC Examiner as one of the best Latin rock bands in the District.

The Washington Post calls them one of the area's finest, “which deftly 
shifts from rootsy reggae to ska to introspective rock.” Their mixed rhythms of cumbia, reggae, rock, and ska know no limits and never fail to bring down the house.

Nayas lyrics are in English, Spanish, Spanglish and they have been known to throw in some Portuguese for good measure. The band members hail from Peru, Uruguay, Puerto Rico and the US.

Many came to know them at Bossa Bistro in the lively Adams Morgan neighborhood, a well known bohemian spot featuring Latin jazz, salsa, Brazilian electro, samba and pagode, alt funk, world fusion, hip hop and reggae music. A section of the club was once christened “Salon Nayas” to honor the unique place Nayas has carved out in Adams Morgan and the DC music scene.

Bassist and singer Luis Torrealva founded the band with singer song-writter Soy Lopez in 2001. Lopez returned to South America in 2008. He is now back in his native Uruguay where he continues to support and collaborate with Nayas. 

Nayas has become a fixture in DC, regularly playing its premier venues such as the 9:30 Club, Black Cat, and The State Theatre. Radio and Television appearances include: Pandora Internet Radio, Itunes, Spotify, WAMU’s “Art Beat”, WETA “Neighborhoods”, Telemundo, Univision, KPFA Berkeley CA, Viva 900 DC, and “Veinte Lucas” on Canal 7 in Lima, Peru.

They have shared the stage with Calle 13, Julieta Venegas, Molotov, Panteon Rococo, Easy Star All-Stars, El Gran Silencio, Kinky, Victimas del Dr. Cerebro, Yerba Buena, Los Amigos Invisibles, King Chango and others. They have played clubs from West Virginia to New York’s East Village to West Coast.

Their first self titled album was released in 2006 (available for purchase on iTunes at http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/nayas/id381917817 ) and put out their second album "Avenida La Cura" recorded at Right-On studios under the direction of Emmy winning sound engineer/musician Jerome Maffeo.


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